News Nuggets for 10/19

Ξ From research NPD Group comes some interesting data on shifts in what and how Americans eat over the past 30 years. For example, the percentage of at-home meals made from scratch has declined from 72% to 59% over that period. And meals have become simpler: the average number of food items used per meal has decreased from 4.44 in the 1980s to 3.5 now. The opposite trend likely is true of meal prep in restaurants.
And new research from Technomic finds that diners have been eating more desserts for the past three years. Only 1% of respondents said they did not eat dessert, and 70% eat dessert at least once a week.

ΞHardee’s introduced Hand-Breaded Chicken Tenders to its menu in June. Sibling Carl’s Jr., which has struggled to increase sales while Hardee’s has posted solid gains, has added the breaded-and-fried tenders to its menu as well. Chicken has been under-represented on Carl’s Jr.’s menu.

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FBqHoYA82gΞ Earlier this month, I scoffed at the Vinagrete Salad Burger McDonald’s has added in Brazil. But this salad-and-dressing-as-a-topping concept seems to be spreading, globally. In Japan, McDonald’s has added theSalad Marinade Muffin. It has marinated onions and peppers plus cheese, bacon and lettuce on an English muffin. Also new in Japan is the Mac Classic Hot Dog, marketed as a breakfast item.

Ξ Speaking of odd toppings, Burger King’s chips-and-salsa-topped Nachos Whopperin The Netherlands now has TV ad support. The commercial (at left) is intentionally badly dubbed to give it that feel that director Sergio Leone perfected in his “Spaghetti Westerns” in the 1960s. Crispin Porter + Bogusky gets the credit here.